Tax credits income update

[Cailleachian]

In 2018/9 was self-employed, ended self-employment in Nov 2019, and have now been furloughed. Tax return for 2018/19 was sent in in Jan.

I got a message from HMRC on 10th March saying that I needed to confirm my actual income for 2018/9 (it was previously an estimate) by 31st March, but I havent been able to get through to them.

I'm getting substantially reduced furlough, as its apparently based on average earnings over 12 months (and I've only been employed for 4 months), so tax credits are fairly essential at this time and I'm worried my tax credits are going to get cut off.

Is there any other way to update the tax credits people on my 2018/9 income other than phone?

If you have gateway, you can do it on there.

Thanks for that. I just signed into gateway, but there doesn't seem to be any way to update it, and it is showing future payments (which is presumably a good sign).

I'll try the phone lines again on Monday, but I'm just kindof hoping that it will all be OK.

Their online chat can be quite helpful

Just on your furlough pay, if you are salaried on a regular amount then your furlough pay should be based on that, if you earn irregular amounts each month and have been employed for less than 12 months then your furlough pay is based on your 19/20 average for the length of time you were employed - so for you it's a 4 month average, not your 4 months pay ÷ 12.